Chapter 94: Mother Xie Promotes Her Son
The following morning, the drizzle in Qixia Town continued, washing the bluestone pavement until it shone like a mirror.
After bidding farewell to Zuixianlou, the carriage set off again, traveling along the winding riverbank.
Around noon, the carriage entered a more open and secluded area.
Ahead, an elegant manor with white walls, black tiles, and upturned eaves gradually revealed its outline in the misty rain.
Towering white walls and black tiles like scales; two ancient and majestic stone lions stand in front of the gate; a plaque hangs above the gate with the two characters "Jingyuan" written in vigorous strokes, exuding an extraordinary air.
Xie Chen gazed at the familiar gate, a slight smile curving his lips, his tone relaxed: "Everyone, this is my humble abode. We're home."
The carriage stopped in front of the gate, where servants were already waiting respectfully.
As everyone got off the bus, before they could even take a closer look, a middle-aged man came out to greet them with a smile.
He was dressed in a simple brocade robe, with a gentle face, clear and bright eyes, and composed and proper demeanor. He was none other than Xie Zhiyuan, the head of the Xie family.
"Thank you, Uncle Xie." Shen Yunzhou, Ji Qianqiu, and the others all bowed and greeted him.
Xie Zhiyuan returned the greeting with a smile, his gaze sweeping gently over everyone. When it finally landed on Fang Li, who was looking around with a hint of curiosity, his gaze lingered for a moment, carrying a subtle scrutiny and inquiry.
“My dear nephews, you have come from afar and must be tired from your journey. Please come inside and have some tea.” He stepped aside and led them into the mansion.
Stepping through the gates of the mansion, a bright and spacious view suddenly opened up before me.
In contrast to its simple and elegant exterior, the mansion features pavilions and towers arranged in a well-organized manner, with ingeniously laid-out artificial hills and flowing water, and winding corridors leading to secluded spots.
The garden in the drizzle adds to its tranquility and poetic charm. However, to those in the know, this seemingly random layout is actually full of hidden secrets. Every plant, every stone, and every drop of water seems to subtly conform to the rhythm of some kind of formation. It is not a killing formation, but it seems to have the effect of warning and trapping the enemy. Every step and every scene may contain hidden traps.
The group was led to a flower hall overlooking the water. The hall was elegantly decorated, with a faint scent of sandalwood burning, which complemented the sound of rain outside the window.
A maidservant served fragrant tea. Xie Zhiyuan exchanged a few pleasantries with the others, then smiled and looked at Xie Chen: "Chen'er, it's been a long time since we played chess, how about a game?"
Xie Chen smiled and nodded: "I would be honored to accept your offer."
The father and son moved to the chessboard by the window and sat facing each other.
The chess pieces landed on the board with a crisp, clear sound.
The two appeared to be playing chess in a relaxed manner, but their words were full of hidden wit and sharp criticism.
"I heard that Chen'er's journey has been quite fraught with difficulties?" Xie Zhiyuan placed a piece on the board and asked casually.
"It's just a training exercise, a few minor setbacks, nothing to worry about." Xie Chen responded calmly, his fingertips dropping a white piece to neutralize one of the black pieces' attacks.
"When faced with a matter, one should think it through carefully and act only after careful consideration. Too much brilliance is easily broken." Xie Zhiyuan placed another piece, implicitly offering this warning.
"Father's teachings are well remembered. However, there are priorities and urgency in matters, and one must make a decisive move when necessary." Xie Chen smiled slightly, lightly placed a white piece, turning defense into offense, his playing style sharp yet composed.
"Hmm." Xie Zhiyuan looked at the growth and sharpness his son showed on the chessboard, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes, and said no more.
After a rapid game of chess, Xie Chen narrowly won by half a point.
Xie Zhiyuan nodded with a smile, then turned his gaze to Fang Li, who was sitting quietly to the side.
He asked in a gentle tone, "This must be Miss Fang from Yixing Peak? You possess an extraordinary and refined air. May I ask where you reside in the immortal realm? Are your elders at home well?"
Fang Li was sipping her tea when she heard this. She put down her teacup and tried her best to appear obedient: "Uncle Xie, you flatter me. I've been cultivating in the mountains since I was young. My hometown... is a remote little place, I don't even remember its name. And... there are no relatives left in my family." She tried to keep her tone calm, but her heart was pounding: "A family check? Father Xie is so perceptive! System, did I answer well?"
System: [“Standard answer! Host, stay calm! The template for early access to the mountain after both parents' death has been activated! Perfect!”]
At this moment, a woman dressed in simple clothes with gentle features brought tea and snacks with her maid. She was Xie Chen's mother, Su Wanqiu.
She interrupted with a smile, "Zhiyuan, the children have just arrived home, they must be tired from their journey, why are you questioning them like this?" She personally placed a plate of delicate lotus-shaped pastries in front of Fang Li, "Miss Fang, please try these Jiangnan snacks, don't be shy."
She gently informed everyone of the guest rooms they would be resting in, and then specifically said to Fang Li, "The young lady's guest room is arranged in Tingzhu Garden, which is quiet and elegant, and close to Chen'er's Moyunzhai, making it convenient for you young people to move around."
After making the arrangements, Su Wanqiu took the opportunity of serving tea and snacks to chat with Fang Li.
"Chen'er is quiet and thoughtful in the sect, and it's all thanks to you senior brothers and sisters who take care of him." Her tone was gentle, with a mother's concern. "If he does anything inappropriate, please don't take offense... Judging from your intelligent and beautiful appearance and refined speech, you must come from a scholarly family, right?"
Fang Li's scalp tingled, and she cried out inwardly, "Here we go again?! System, help! How do I answer this?"
Tongzi: [“Repeat the standard answer! Make it natural! Add a touch of sadness! Yes! That’s it!”]
Fang Li forced a slightly somber expression and said in a low voice, "Auntie, you flatter me. This junior... really can't remember."
Just as the atmosphere was becoming slightly delicate, a clear and lively voice broke the silence like a bird's song.
"Brother! Mother! I heard we have guests? Is it the fairy sister from the Heavenly Evolution Sect?"
Before he could finish speaking, a lively young girl dressed in a pale yellow dress and with her hair in two buns ran in. She was Xie Chen's younger sister, Xie Wanning.
Her eyes sparkled. She first looked at Xie Chen with admiration, then her gaze was fixed on Fang Li, full of curiosity and excitement.
"Is this Sister Fang? My brother mentioned her in his letter! Sister, you're so beautiful! Like a fairy in a painting! Is the sect fun? Can you teach me to fly?" She chattered on and on, asking one question after another, her innocent and carefree nature instantly dispelling the subtle atmosphere of probing from before.
Su Wanqiu smiled helplessly and gently scolded, "Wanning, don't be rude."
Fang Li breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at Xie Wanning, saying, "Wanning is also very cute. Flying... you can only do it after you've reached the Foundation Establishment stage."
Xie Wanning immediately started pestering Fang Li with questions, instantly enlivening the atmosphere in the hall.
When Xie Chen heard his mother probe Fang Li's family background again, his hand holding the fan paused slightly, and a trace of helplessness and tension flashed in his eyes, worried that his parents' actions would make Fang Li unhappy.
While resting in their guest room, Shen Yunzhou and Ji Qianqiu saw through the window the seemingly harmonious scene in the flower hall. Shen Yunzhou was wiping his sword sheath expressionlessly, while Ji Qianqiu yawned, feeling slightly impatient with the Xie family's subtle and reserved atmosphere, thinking it would be better to have a fight.
After dinner, the drizzle stopped for a while, and the moonlight was hazy.
Xie Zhiyuan smiled and said to Xie Chen, "Chen'er, come with me to the study. It's been a long time since we last met. Let's play a game of chess."
Su Wan then took Fang Li's hand affectionately: "Miss Fang, the moonlight is just right, and the osmanthus in the garden is just beginning to bloom. Would you like to take a walk with me?" Her smile was gentle, as if she wanted to continue their unfinished chat.
As night deepened, the lights in Jingyuan Garden lit up one by one, reflecting the rising stars on the horizon.
Inside the study, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood. Xie Zhiyuan and his son Xie Chen sat facing each other across a sandalwood chessboard. On the board, black and white chess pieces were scattered and intertwined, seemingly a leisurely game of chess, yet the sounds of clashing weapons were subtly present.
"The waters of the capital have become increasingly murky lately." Xie Zhiyuan placed a black piece, his voice steady, but his gaze sharp as a hawk, looking beyond the chessboard into the depths. "The demons are causing trouble, seemingly without order, but in reality, there seems to be a force behind it all. The court is slow to react, and various forces are stirring up trouble... The Third Prince, Li Yan, has been making frequent moves lately, recruiting many strange and unusual people of unknown origin."
Xie Chen held a white chess piece between his fingers, not placing it down immediately. His gaze swept across the chessboard, as if he were examining the distribution of power in the capital.
"The key to the matter of the demon lies in that black powder. This substance is not naturally formed; it must have its source and distribution channels. The Xie family's intelligence network covers Jiangnan and even the Grand Canal. We can start from there, secretly investigating whether there have been any unusual flows of goods or suspicious individuals recently. Pay special attention to black market transactions related to medicinal herbs, minerals, and even... certain sinister items." The white piece landed lightly, cutting off a large black group.
He paused, then continued, "As for the Third Prince... the people he recruits are a mixed bag, which is precisely where we can find a breakthrough. We can use our江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world) identities to try to contact the peripheral members of his group, or deduce their needs by looking at the resources they require. But we must be extremely cautious to avoid alerting them."
Xie Zhiyuan nodded slightly, his eyes revealing undisguised approval.
He placed another piece, his tone turning serious: "Good idea. But this mission is extremely dangerous, and the person behind it is definitely not a good person. You must... protect yourselves and your companions." His gaze seemingly casually swept towards the direction of the garden outside the window, with a hidden meaning.
Xie Chen remained calm and composed as he placed his piece, his voice steady yet carrying undeniable weight: "Father, rest assured, I know what I'm doing."
Meanwhile, the garden under the moon presents a completely different scene.
The osmanthus blossoms quietly, their sweet fragrance filling the moist air. Su Wanqiu, hand in hand with Fang Li, strolled along the gravel path.
She stopped asking about Fang Li's family background and instead started talking about Xie Chen's childhood anecdotes.
“Chen’er has always been more thoughtful than other children.” Su Wanqiu’s tone was gentle, with a mother’s unique pride and a hint of helplessness. “He could recite poems at three and solve chess problems at five. His teachers all praised him for his intelligence and precociousness. But because of this, he lacked the liveliness of a child. He always stayed alone in the study or chess room, and he didn’t like to play with his peers, let alone… get close to any girl.” She chuckled and shook her head.
She turned her head to look at Fang Li, the moonlight shining on her gentle profile, her smile meaningful: "He seems to treat people with kindness and consideration, but in reality he is very guarded, and ordinary people can hardly get close to him. To be personally brought back to his mansion by him and called a friend... Miss Fang, you are the first one."
Fang Li felt a chill run down her spine and could only try to maintain a well-behaved smile, replying dryly, "Senior Brother Xie is exceptionally talented and treats people with gentleness and politeness. All of us fellow disciples respect him very much."
"Is Xie's mother praising her son or promoting him? The implication is practically shoved in my face!"
The system was frantic in her mind: [“Host! This is an easy question! Grab it! Just say that Senior Brother Xie is indeed very good and trustworthy!”]
Fang Li's eyes darted around, and she gave a vague response.
Seeing this, Su Wanqiu didn't point it out, but her smile deepened. She took off a jade pendant from her waist. The pendant was carved from warm jade, smooth to the touch, and exquisitely designed. The front was engraved with an intricate "Xie" character emblem, while the back featured auspicious cloud patterns.
"Good child, keep this." She placed the jade pendant in Fang Li's hand, her tone friendly and natural. "In the Jiangnan region, my Xie family still has some businesses. This jade pendant is a token. If you encounter any difficulties, or want to buy some rare items, you can take it to any shop with the same emblem, and they will be happy to help you."
Fang Li held the warm jade in her hand, feeling its warmth, and quickly thanked her, "Thank you, Auntie!"
Inside the study, Xie Chen, who was engrossed in playing chess, heard the voice in his heart. His ears began to turn slightly red, and when the white piece fell from his fingertips, the force seemed to be slightly off, and the landing point was slightly less precise.
Just then, Xie Wanning's figure leaped out from behind the moon gate like a deer. Her eyes were bright and she had a mysterious expression on her face. She grabbed Fang Li's hand.
"Fairy Sister! Stop listening to Mother nagging about Brother's old stories! It's boring!" She playfully stuck out her tongue at Su Wanqiu, then lowered her voice and excitedly said to Fang Li, "I'll take you to a much more fun place! I guarantee you've never seen anything like it!"
Without saying a word, she grabbed Fang Li and ran into the depths of the garden.
Su Wanqiu watched her daughter's hurried figure disappear into the distance, shook her head and chuckled helplessly, and did not stop her.
Xie Wanning pulled Fang Li through several moon gates, around a rockery and bamboo grove, and finally stopped in front of a rather quaint-looking small building.
The small building had its doors and windows tightly closed, and there was no plaque at the entrance, yet a quiet, scholarly atmosphere permeated the air.
"This is it!" Xie Wanning lowered her voice, with a hint of pride and mystery. "This is our family's library! It has so many rare and ancient books that you can't find anywhere else! Even my brother often comes here to look up information! I'll secretly take you inside to have a look!"
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